Broncos rally around under-siege Lodge

By Vince Rugari

5 March 2018 — 12:11pm

The Brisbane Broncos have tried to draw a line under the Matt Lodge affair as he prepares to make his NRL comeback under extreme scrutiny.

Lodge hasn't played a first-grade game since June 2015 but he'll be under the microscope when he runs out for the Broncos against St George Illawarra in the NRL season-opener in Sydney on Thursday night.

Debate has intensified in recent days over whether the 22-year-old should be allowed to play, since CCTV footage emerged of the drunken, violent New York City rampage that led to his sacking by the Wests Tigers.

Matt Lodge continues to impress the Broncos as he prepares for his first NRL game since 2015.Credit:AAP

The NRL has given him the green light to play for the first time in nearly three years and it seems the league will not change its stance despite the recent outcry.